Sampling of Youth Policy by State
While every state has different levels and extents of youth policy and programming, a few states will show the range of youth policy that can exist by state.
In general, social policies are implemented at the state and local government level, as opposed to the national level.
Individual cities and towns, as well as localized non-profit organizations can often fill the gap of youth support and programming when it does not exist at the state or federal level.
New York State has very strong social services compared to many states within the United States. In terms of youth policy, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services works to promote youth and family well-being. The programming of this office works to promote equal access to quality services, individualized treatment that respects gender and sexual orientation, and cultural, physical, social, emotional and linguistic needs, and care in environments to promote healthy development. The state works with other communities to provide funding for more localized, non-profit youth development programs, runaway and homeless youth programs, scholarships and financial aid for studying, support for youth in foster care, and other enrichment services. There are also state programs that provide support for the college admissions and financial aid processes for youth.
Louisiana has fewer state government youth programs. Louisiana Youth for Excellence (LYFE) is one initiative that promotes positive youth development and builds awareness of consequences for at-risk behaviors with vulnerable youth. This includes children in foster care, children in poverty, and children in juvenile detention centers. The state of Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice also works with youth who have entered the juvenile justice system. There is programming in the Office of Juvenile Justice that focuses on harm reduction associated with the negative impacts of drug use. Additionally, this office makes recommendations for treatment for young people in this system. However, the emphasis is on more punitive programs as opposed to restorative justice, financial resources and scholarships, and well-being programs. This demonstrates the stark difference in priorities that exist from state to state.
Wisconsin, in the Mid-West of the United States, demonstrates another set of priorities that can exist at the state level. Wisconsin has worked to promote a community-based juvenile justice system that puts resources towards youth counseling, assessment and treatment, community service, and teen court. There is also a Bureau of Refugee Programs that helps with refugee resettlement in the state of Wisconsin that includes interpretation and translation, transportation, mental and physical health services, and employment services. There are also state programs that support foster children, as well as policy to support Native American tribes and families through the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act.
